CN107011425B - Binding proteins that inhibit VEGF-A receptor interactions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to binding proteins that inhibit VEGF-a receptor interactions. The present invention relates to binding proteins specific for VEGF-A, and in particular to recombinant binding proteins comprising a binding domain that inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2. Examples of such binding proteins are proteins comprising ankyrin repeat domains with the desired binding specificity. The binding proteins are useful in the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions, for example, ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

Description

Binding proteins that inhibit VEGF-A receptor interactions

The application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an international application number of 200980153604.7 entitled "binding protein inhibiting VEGF-a receptor interaction", which is international application PCT/EP2009/064483 with an international application date of 2009, 11/3 into china.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to recombinant binding proteins specific for VEGF-A, as well as nucleic acids encoding such VEGF-A binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins, and the use of such proteins in the treatment of tumors and ocular diseases.

Background

Angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting blood vessels) is a key process in several pathological conditions, including tumor growth and ocular diseases, particularly ocular neovascular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (Carmeliet, p.,. Nature 438, 932-. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs) stimulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by activating VEGF receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase in endothelial cells (Ferrara, n., Gerber, h.p. and LeCouter, j., Nature med. 9, 669-.

The mammalian VEGF family consists of 5 glycoproteins called VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D (also known as FIGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF, also known as PGF). VEGF-A has been shown to be an effective target for anti-angiogenic therapy (Ellis, L.M. and Hicklin, D.J., Nature Rev. Cancer 8, 579-Bu 591, 2008). VEGF-A ligand binds and activates 3 structurally similar type III receptor tyrosine kinases, known as VEGFR-1 (also known as FLT1), VEGFR-2 (also known as KDR) and VEGFR-3 (also known as FLT 4). VEGF ligands have unique binding specificities for each of these tyrosine kinase receptors, which contribute to their functional diversity. In response to ligand binding, VEGFR tyrosine kinases activate a network of distinct downstream signaling pathways. VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are found primarily in the vascular endothelium, while VEGFR-3 is found mostly in the lymphatic endothelium. These receptors all have an extracellular domain, a single transmembrane region and a consensus tyrosine kinase sequence interrupted by a kinase insertion domain. Recently, neuropilin (NRP-1), a receptor of the semaphorin/collapsin family originally identified as a neuronal guidance mediator, was demonstrated to be an isoform-specific receptor for VEGF-A.

VEGF-A of various isoforms is known to result from alternative splicing of 8 exons within the VEGF-A gene. All isoforms contain exons 1-5 and the terminal exon,exon 8.Exons 6 and 7 (encoding heparin-binding domains) may be included or excluded. This results in a family of proteins named according to their number of amino acids: VEGF-A165, VEGF-A121, VEGF-A189, etc. However,exon 8 contains two 3' splice sites in the nucleotide sequence, which can be used by cells to generate isoforms of two families with the same length, but differing in the C-terminal amino acid sequence (Varey, A.H.R. et al, British J. Cancer 98, 1366-containing 1379, 2008). The closest sequence in exon 8 (leading to the inclusion of exon 8a) was used to generate VEGF-Axxx ("xxx" indicates the number of amino acids of the mature protein) (isoforms of the pro-angiogenic family). The recently described anti-angiogenic VEGF-Axxxb isoform is produced using the distal splice site (66 bp further along the gene from the adjacent splice site). This results in splicing out exon 8a and the production of mRNA sequences encoding the VEGF-Axxxb family. VEGF-A165 is the major pro-angiogenic isoform and is commonly overexpressed in various human solid tumors. VEGF-A165b was the identified isoform encoded by the first exon 8b and was shown to have anti-angiogenic effects (Varey et al, supra; Konopatkaya, O. et al, Molecular Vision 12, 626. suppl. 632, 2006). It is an endogenous, inhibitory form of VEGF-A that reduces VEGF-A induced proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Although it may bind to VEGFR-2, VEGF-A165b binding does not cause receptor phosphorylation or activation of downstream signaling pathways.

There are several approaches to inhibiting VEGF-a signaling, including neutralizing the ligand or receptor by antibodies, and blocking VEGF-a receptor activation and signaling using tyrosine kinase inhibitors. VEGF-A targeted therapy has been shown to be an effective monotherapeutic agent in AMD, DME, renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas metastatic colorectal, non-small cell lung and metastatic breast cancer patients are only beneficial when combined with chemotherapy (Narayanan, R. et al., Nat Rev. Drug Discov. 5, 815. 816, 2005; Ellis and Hicklin, supra).

In addition to antibodies, other binding domains may be used to neutralize the ligand or receptor (Skerra, A., J. mol. Recog. 13, 167-. Such novel binding domains are based on designed repeat domains (WO 02/20565; Binz, H.K., Amstutz, P., Kohl, A., Stumpp, M.T., Briand, C., Forrer, P., Grutter, M.G., and Plu ckthun, A., nat. Biotechnol. 22, 575-. WO 02/20565 describes how to construct large libraries of repetitive proteins and their general application. Nevertheless, WO 02/20565 discloses neither the selection of repeat domains with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx, nor the specific repeat sequence motifs that specifically bind to the repeat domains of VEGF-Axxx.

Targeting VEGF-a with existing therapies is not effective in all patients, or against all diseases (e.g., EGFR expressing cancers). The fact that the therapeutic benefits associated with VEGF-A targeted therapy are complex and may involve multiple mechanisms is even becoming increasingly clear (Ellis and Hicklin, supra). For example, commercially available anti-VEGF drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin) or ranibizumab (Lucentis) (see WO 96/030046, WO 98/045331 and WO 98/045332) or drugs under clinical development such as VEGF-Trap (WO 00/075319) do not distinguish between pro-and anti-angiogenic forms of VEGF-A and are therefore inhibited by them. They therefore inhibit angiogenesis and deprive healthy tissue of an important survival factor, VEGF-Axxxb, producing cytotoxic and dose-limiting side effects, which in turn limit efficacy. Common side effects of existing anti-VEGF-a therapies are gastrointestinal perforation, bleeding, hypertension, thromboembolic events and proteinuria (Kamba, t. and McDonald, d.m., Br. j. Cancer 96, 1788-95, 2007). Thus, there is a need for improved anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to identify new anti-angiogenic agents, such as repeat domains with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx, for improved treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions (e.g. ocular diseases such as AMD or DME). This technical problem is solved by the provision of the embodiments characterized in the claims.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to binding proteins comprising a binding domain, wherein the binding domain inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2 and the binding domain has a midpoint denaturation temperature (Tm) above 40 ℃ when thermolytically folded, forming less than 5% (w/w) insoluble aggregates at a concentration of up to 10 g/L when incubated for 1 day at 37 ℃ in PBS. More specifically, the invention relates to recombinant binding proteins comprising at least one repeat domain, wherein said repeat domain is present at less than 10^-7The Kd of M binds to VEGF-Axxx and inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2. In particular, such binding proteins inhibit sprouting of HUVEC spheres (sphenoids) with IC50 values of less than 10 nM, and thisThe dissociation constant Kd of the binding-like protein's interaction with VEGF-Axxxx is at least 10 times higher than its interaction with VEGF-Axxxx.

In particular, the invention relates to a recombinant binding protein comprising a binding domain with specificity for VEGF-A, which is a repeat domain, e.g. an ankyrin repeat domain, in particular an ankyrin repeat domain comprising a repeat module having an ankyrin repeat motif

1D23G4TPLHLAA56GHLEIVEVLLK7GADVNA (SEQ ID NO:1)

Wherein1,2,3,4,5,6And are and7independently of one another, represent an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y.

The invention also relates to a recombinant binding protein comprising a repeat domain with binding specificity for VEGF-a, which has at least 70% amino acid sequence identity with an ankyrin repeat domain of the invention, or which comprises a repeat module with at least 70% amino acid sequence identity with an ankyrin repeat module of the invention, or wherein one or more amino acid residues of an ankyrin repeat module are replaced by an amino acid residue found at the corresponding position when aligning ankyrin repeat units.

The invention further relates to binding proteins comprising a recombinant binding protein of the invention having attached one or more additional moieties, e.g., moieties that also bind VEGFR-2 or a different target, labeling moieties, moieties that facilitate protein purification, or moieties that provide improved pharmacokinetics, e.g., polyethylene glycol moieties. In some embodiments, the other moiety is a protein moiety. In certain other embodiments, the other moiety is a non-protein multimeric moiety.

The invention further relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding the recombinant binding proteins of the invention, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the above-described binding proteins or nucleic acid molecules.

The invention further relates to methods of treating cancer and other pathological conditions (e.g., ocular diseases such as AMD or DME) using the binding proteins of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a.The specific dog VEGF-A164 binding of the designed ankyrin repeat protein selected.

The interaction of the selected clones with dog VEGF-A164 (VEGF) and negative control protein (MBP, E.coli maltose binding protein) was shown by crude extract ELISA. Biotinylated dog VEGF-A164 and MBP were immobilized on NeutrAvidin. The numbers indicate individual DARPin clones picked in the ribosome display of anti-dog VEGF-A164 or the corresponding human VEGF-A165. A = absorbance. White bars indicate binding to dog VEGF-A164 and black bars show non-specific background binding to MBP.

FIG. 2.Sphere growth inhibition of selected darpins.

The length of shoots in the spheroid growth inhibition assay were shown in the presence of various concentrations of (a) DARPin #30 (SEQ ID NO:29), a DARPin specific for VEGF-Axxx, or (b) DARPin NC, a negative control DARPin without specificity for VEGF-Axxx.

FIG. 3.Specific recognition of VEGF-A isoforms.

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis of binding proteins to VEGF-A isoforms.

(a) And (b) SPR analysis of Avastin ®. 250 nM Avastin were added to a flow cell immobilized with dog VEGF-A164 (a) or dog VEGF-A164b (b) for 100 seconds, then washed by buffer flow.

(c) And (d) SPR analysis of DARPin #27 (SEQ ID NO: 16). 250 nM DARPin #27 was added to a flow cell immobilized with either dog VEGF-A164 (c) or dog VEGF-A164b (d) for 100 seconds, then washed by buffer flow. RU = resonance unit.

FIG. 4.Effective inhibition of human VEGF-A165 in rabbit eyes.

The vascular leakage rabbit model showed that DARPin had the efficacy of inhibiting human VEGF-A165 in eyes compared to Lucentis @. Onday 1, PBS,DARPin #30 or Lucentis @, was applied to one eye of each rabbit (treated eyes) by intravitreal injection. Both eyes of each rabbit were challenged by intravitreal injection of 500 ng human VEGF-A165 onday 4 orday 30. All eyes were evaluated 48 hours after VEGF-A165 injection by measuring the amount of fluorescein in the vitreous and retina of alleyes 1 hour after intravenous sodium fluorescein injection.

R = ratio of fluorescein measurement for treated eye/fluorescein measurement for untreated eye. Standard deviation is shown by the error bars. 4-PBS =ratio 4 days after PBS injection (control); 4-D =proportion 4 days afterDARPin #30 injection; 30-D = proportion of 30 days post-injection ofDARPin # 30; 4-L = Lucentis ^ the proportion of 4 days after injection; 30-L = Lucentis @ ratio of 30 days after injection.

Detailed Description

Mammalian VEGF-a exists as two families of alternatively spliced isoforms: (i) a pro-angiogenic "VEGF-Axxx" isoform produced by proximal splicing ofexon 8 and (ii) an anti-angiogenic "VEGF-Axxxb" isoform produced by distal splicing ofexon 8. Preferably, the binding domains of the invention are specific for pro-angiogenic VEGF-Axxx of dog, rabbit, monkey or human origin. More preferably, the binding domains of the invention are specific for human-derived pro-angiogenic VEGF-Axxx. Most preferably, the binding domains of the invention are specific for human VEGF-A165.

The term "protein" refers to a polypeptide, wherein at least a portion of the polypeptide has or is capable of attaining a specified three-dimensional structure by forming a secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structure within and/or between its polypeptide chains. If a protein comprises two or more polypeptides, a single polypeptide chain may be non-covalently or covalently linked by, for example, a disulfide bond between the two polypeptides. A portion of a protein, which alone has or is capable of obtaining a specified three-dimensional structure by forming a secondary or tertiary structure, is called a "protein domain". Such protein domains are well known to those skilled in the art.

The term "recombinant" when used in reference to a recombinant protein, recombinant protein domain, and the like, means that the polypeptide is produced using recombinant DNA techniques well known to those skilled in the relevant art. For example, a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a polypeptide (e.g., produced by gene synthesis) can be cloned into a bacterial expression plasmid (e.g., pQE30, Qiagen). When such a constructed recombinant expression plasmid is inserted into a bacterium (e.g., E.coli), the bacterium can produce a polypeptide encoded by the recombinant DNA. The correspondingly produced polypeptide is referred to as recombinant polypeptide.

The term "polypeptide tag" refers to an amino acid sequence attached to a polypeptide/protein, wherein the amino acid sequence is used for purification, detection or targeting of the polypeptide/protein, or the amino acid sequence improves the physicochemical properties of the polypeptide/protein, or the amino acid sequence has effector function. The individual polypeptide tags, portions and/or domains of the binding protein may be linked to each other directly or through a polypeptide linker. These polypeptide tags are well known in the art and are fully available to those skilled in the art. Examples of polypeptide tags are small polypeptide sequences, e.g. His, myc, FLAG, or Strep-tags or moieties such as enzymes (e.g. enzymes like alkaline phosphatase) which allow detection of the polypeptide/protein, or moieties which may be used for targeting (such as immunoglobulins or fragments thereof) and/or as effector molecules.

The term "polypeptide linker" refers to an amino acid sequence that is capable of linking, for example, two protein domains, a polypeptide tag and a protein domain, a protein domain and a non-polypeptide moiety such as polyethylene glycol or two sequence tags. Such additional domains, tags, non-polypeptide portions and linkers are known to those of skill in the relevant art. A series of examples are provided in the description of patent application WO 02/20565. Specific examples of such linkers are glycine-serine-linkers of variable length; preferably, the linker has a length of 2-16 amino acids.

In the context of the present invention, the term "polypeptide" relates to a molecule consisting of one or more chains of multiple (i.e. two or more) amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Preferably, the polypeptide consists of more than 8 amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

The term "binding protein" is meant to include one or more binding domain proteins, as will be further explained below. Preferably, the binding protein comprises up to 4 binding domains. More preferably, the binding protein comprises at most two binding domains. Most preferably, the binding protein comprises only one binding domain. In addition, any such binding protein may include additional protein domains that are not binding domains, multimerization moieties, polypeptide tags, polypeptide linkers and/or non-protein polymer molecules. Examples of multimerizing moieties are immunoglobulin heavy chain constant regions, the pairing of which provides a functional immunoglobulin Fc domain, and leucine zippers or polypeptides that include a free thiol group, which form an intermolecular disulfide bond between such two polypeptides. Examples of non-protein polymeric molecules are hydroxyethyl starch (HES), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol, or polyalkylene oxide.

The term "pegylated" means that a PEG moiety is covalently attached, for example, to a polypeptide of the invention.

The term "binding domain" denotes a protein domain that exhibits the same "folding" (three-dimensional structure) as a protein scaffold and has predetermined properties, as described below. Such binding domains can be obtained by rational or most common combinatorial protein engineering techniques, which are well known in the art (Skerra, 2000, supra; Binz et al, 2005, supra). For example, a binding domain having a predetermined property can be obtained by a method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a diverse collection of protein domains that exhibit the same folding as the protein scaffold specified below; and (b) screening and/or selecting from said diverse collection to obtain at least one protein domain having said predetermined property. Depending on the screening and/or selection system used, a diverse collection of protein domains may be provided by several methods, which may include the use of methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as phage display or ribosome display.

The term "protein scaffold" refers to a protein having an exposed surface region in which amino acid insertions, substitutions or deletions are highly tolerated. Examples of protein scaffolds that can be used to generate the binding domains of the invention are antibodies or fragments thereof, such as single chain Fv or Fab fragments, from Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) ((R))Staphylococcus aureus) Protein A of (A), derived from Pieris brassicae (A)Pieris brassicae) Bile III ofAlkene binding proteins or other lipocalins, ankyrin repeat proteins or other repeat proteins, and human fibronectin. Protein scaffolds are known to those skilled in the art (Binz et al, 2005, supra; Binz et al, 2004, supra).

The term "predetermined property" refers to a property, such as binding to a target, blocking a target, activating a target-mediated reaction, enzymatic activity, and related other properties. Depending on the type of desired property, the ordinarily skilled artisan will be able to determine the format and necessary steps for screening and/or selecting binding domains having the desired property. Preferably, the predetermined property is binding to a target.

Preferably, the binding protein of the invention is not an antibody or a fragment thereof, such as a Fab or scFv fragment. Antibodies and fragments thereof are well known to those skilled in the art.

Also preferably, the binding domains of the invention do not include the immunoglobulin fold and/or fibronectin type III domains present in antibodies. Immunoglobulin folds are a common all-beta protein fold consisting of a bilayer sandwich of about 7 antiparallel beta strands arranged as two beta sheets. Immunoglobulin folding is well known to those skilled in the art. Such binding domains, including immunoglobulin folds, are described in WO 07/080392 or WO 08/097497, for example.

Further preferably, the binding domains of the present invention do not comprise immunoglobulin-like domains (as found in VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2). Such binding domains are described in WO 00/075319.

Preferred binding domains are those with anti-angiogenic effect. The anti-angiogenic effect of the binding domain can be determined by assays well known to those skilled in the art, such as the budding assay of HUVEC spheres as described in example 2.

Further preferred are binding domains comprising 70-300 amino acids, especially 100-200 amino acids.

Further preferred is a binding domain which does not contain a free Cys residue. The free Cys residues are not involved in the formation of disulfide bonds. Even more preferred is a binding domain that does not contain any Cys residues.

Preferred binding domains of the invention are repeat domains or engineered repeat domains, preferably as described in WO 02/20565.

Particularly preferred binding domains are designed ankyrin repeat domains (Binz, h.k. et al, 2004, supra), preferably as described in WO 02/20565. Examples of designed ankyrin repeat domains are shown in the examples.

The definition of the repeat protein below is based on patent application WO 02/20565. Patent application WO 02/20565 also contains general descriptions of repetitive protein features, techniques and applications.

The term "repeat protein" refers to a protein that includes one or more repeat domains. Preferably, each of the repeat proteins comprises up to 4 repeat domains. More preferably, each of the repeat proteins comprises at most two repeat domains. Most preferably, each repeat protein comprises only one repeat domain. In addition, the repeat protein may include other non-repeat protein domains, polypeptide tags and/or polypeptide linkers.

The term "repeat domain" refers to a protein domain comprising two or more consecutive repeat units (modules) as structural units, wherein said structural units have the same fold and are produced in close packing. For example, a supercoiled structure having a nodal hydrophobic core (joint hydrobic core).

The terms "designed repeat protein" and "designed repeat domain" refer to a repeat protein or repeat domain, respectively, obtained by the inventive method described in patent application WO 02/20565. The designed repeat proteins and the designed repeat domains are synthetic and not from nature. They are artificial proteins or domains, respectively, obtained by expression of correspondingly designed nucleic acids. Preferably, expression is accomplished in eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells (such as bacterial cells), or using cell-free in vitro expression systems.

The term "structural unit" refers to a locally ordered portion of a polypeptide, formed by the three-dimensional interaction of two or more segments of secondary structure adjacent to each other along the polypeptide chain. Such structural units exhibit structural motifs. The term "structural motif refers to the three-dimensional structure of secondary structural elements present in at least one structural unit. Structural motifs are well known to those skilled in the art. A single structural unit cannot obtain a certain three-dimensional structure; however, their continuous arrangement, for example as repeating assemblies in a repeating domain, leads to mutual stabilization of adjacent units to produce a supercoiled structure.

The term "repeat unit" refers to an amino acid sequence comprising one or more naturally occurring repeat sequence motifs of a repeat protein, wherein the "repeat unit" is found in multiple copies, which shows a defined folding topology common to all of the motifs that determine protein folding. Such repeat units include backbone residues and interacting residues. Examples of such repeats are armadillo (armadillo) repeats, leucine-rich repeats, ankyrin repeats, triangular tetrapeptide (tetratricopeptide) repeats, HEAT repeats, and leucine-rich variant repeats. Naturally occurring proteins comprising two or more such repeat units are referred to as "naturally occurring repeat proteins". When compared to each other, the amino acid sequences of the individual repeat units of the repeat proteins may have many mutations, substitutions, additions and/or deletions, while still substantially retaining the general pattern or motif of the repeat units.

The term "backbone residue" relates to an amino acid residue of a repeating unit, or of a corresponding amino acid residue of a repeating module, which contributes to the folding topology, i.e. which contributes to the folding of said repeating unit (or module) or to the interaction of adjacent units (or modules). Such contributions may be interactions with other residues in the repeat unit (module), or effects on the conformation of the polypeptide backbone found in the alpha-helix or beta-sheet, or amino acid extensions forming linear polypeptides or loops.

The term "target interaction residue" refers to an amino acid residue of a repeating unit, or the corresponding amino acid residue of a repeating module, which facilitates interaction with a target substance. Such contributions may be direct interactions with the target substance, or effects on other directly interacting residues, for example by stabilizing the polypeptide conformation of the repeat unit (module) to allow or enhance the interaction of the directly interacting residue with the target. Such backbone and target interacting residues can be identified by: structural data obtained by physicochemical methods (such as X-ray crystallization, NMR and/or CD spectroscopy) are analyzed or compared to known and relevant structural information known to those skilled in structural biology and/or bioinformatics.

Preferably, the repeat units used to infer the repeat sequence motif are homologous repeat units, wherein the repeat units comprise the same structural motif, and more than 70% of the backbone residues of said repeat units are homologous to each other. Preferably, more than 80% of the backbone residues of the repeat units are homologous. Most preferably, more than 90% of the backbone residues of the repeat units are homologous. Computer programs (such as Fasta, Blast or Gap) for determining the percent homology between polypeptides are known to those skilled in the art. It is further preferred that the repeat unit used to infer the repeat sequence motif is a homologous repeat unit (obtained from a repeat domain picked from a target), such as described in example 1, and has the same target specificity.

The term "repeat sequence motif refers to an amino acid sequence that is deduced from one or more repeating units. Preferably, the repeat units are derived from repeat domains that have binding specificity for the same target. Such repeat sequence motifs include backbone residue positions and target interaction residue positions. The backbone residue position corresponds to the position of the backbone residue of the repeating unit. Likewise, the target interacting residue position corresponds to the position of the target interacting residue of the repeating unit. Repeat sequence motifs include fixed positions and random positions. The term "fixed position" refers to an amino acid position in a repeating sequence motif, wherein the position is set to a particular amino acid. Most commonly, such fixed positions correspond to the positions of the backbone residues and/or the positions of target interacting residues (specific for a target). The term "random position" denotes an amino acid position in a repeating sequence motif where two or more amino acids are allowed at the amino acid position, for example, allowing any one of the common twenty naturally occurring amino acids, or allowing a majority of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids, such as amino acids other than cysteine, or amino acids other than glycine, cysteine, and proline. Most commonly, such random positions correspond to the positions of target interacting residues. However, some positions of the backbone residues may also be random.

The term "folded topology" refers to the tertiary structure of the repeating unit. The topology of the fold is determined by an extension of amino acids forming at least part of an alpha-helix or beta-sheet, or an extension of amino acids forming a linear polypeptide or loop, or any combination of alpha-helix, beta-sheet and/or linear polypeptide/loop.

The term "continuous" refers to an arrangement in which repeating units or repeating modules are arranged in series. In the designed repeat protein, there are at least 2, usually about 2 to 6, especially at least about 6, usually 20 or more repeat units. In most cases, the repeat units will exhibit a high degree of sequence identity (corresponding to the same amino acid residue at the position) or sequence similarity (amino acid residues are different but have similar physicochemical properties), and some amino acid residues may be highly conserved among the different repeat units found in naturally occurring proteins. However, high sequence variability due to amino acid insertions and/or deletions and/or substitutions between different repeating units found in naturally occurring proteins is also possible as long as the common folding topology is maintained.

Methods for direct detection of the folding topology of repetitive proteins by physicochemical methods such as X-ray crystallization, NMR or CD spectroscopy are well known to those skilled in the art. Methods for identifying and determining repeat units or repeat sequence motifs, or identifying families of related proteins that include such repeat units or motifs, such as homology searches (BLAST, etc.), are well established in the bioinformatics field and are well known to those skilled in the art. The step of modifying the initial repeat sequence motif may comprise an iterative process.

The term "repeat module" refers to a repeating amino acid sequence of a designed repeat domain that is originally derived from a repeating unit of a naturally occurring repeat protein. The repeat domain includes each repeat module derived from one or more repeat units of a family or subfamily of naturally occurring repeat proteins, e.g., a family of armadillo repeat proteins or ankyrin repeat proteins.

"repeat modules" can include those having positions where amino acid residues are present in all copies of the corresponding repeat module ("fixed positions") and those having different or "random" amino acid residues ("random positions").

The term "capping component" refers to a polypeptide fused to an N-or C-terminal repeat component of a repeat domain, wherein the capping component forms a tight tertiary interaction with the repeat component to provide a cap that protects the hydrophobic core of the repeat component from flanking contact with successive repeat components from a solvent. The N-and/or C-terminal capping components may be, or may be derived from, capping units or other domains found in naturally occurring repeat proteins adjacent to the repeat unit. The term "capping unit" refers to a naturally occurring, folded polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide defines a specific structural unit fused to the N-or C-terminus of the repeating unit, wherein the polypeptide forms a tight tertiary interaction with the repeating unit to provide a cap that protects the hydrophobic core of the repeating unit from solvent on one side. Such capping units may have a sequence similar to the repeat sequence motif. The capping assembly and capping are described repeatedly in WO 02/020565. For example, the N-terminal capping component of SEQ ID NO:21 is encoded by amino acids frompositions 1 to 32. Also preferred are such N-terminal capping modules having a glycine or aspartic acid residue atposition 5.

The term "target" refers to a single molecule such as a nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or protein, carbohydrate, or any other naturally occurring molecule, including any portion of such a single molecule, or a complex of two or more such molecules. The target may be a whole cell or tissue sample, or it may be any non-native molecule or moiety. Preferably, the target is a naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring polypeptide or a polypeptide comprising a chemical modification, for example a modification by natural or non-natural phosphorylation, acetylation or methylation. In particular applications of the invention, the target is VEGF-Axxx or VEGFR-2.

The term "consensus sequence" refers to an amino acid sequence wherein the consensus sequence is obtained by structural and/or sequence alignment of multiple repeat units. Using two or more structural and/or sequence aligned repeats, and allowing gaps in the alignment, it is possible to determine the most common amino acid residue at each position. A consensus sequence is a sequence that includes the most frequently occurring amino acids at each position. If two or more amino acids occur at a single position above the average, the consensus sequence may comprise a subset of these amino acids. The two or more repeat units may be obtained from repeat units included in a single repeat protein, or from two or more different repeat proteins.

Consensus sequences and methods for their determination are well known to those skilled in the art.

"conserved amino acid residues" are amino acids found at certain positions in a consensus sequence. If two or more (e.g., 3, 4 or 5) amino acid residues with similar probabilities are found in the two or more repeating units, the consensus amino acid may be one of the most commonly found amino acids or a combination of the two or more amino acid residues.

Further preferred are non-naturally occurring binding proteins or binding domains.

The term "non-naturally occurring" means synthetic or not from nature, more specifically, the term means made by man. The term "non-naturally occurring binding protein" or "non-naturally occurring binding domain" means that the binding protein or the binding domain is synthetic (i.e., produced from amino acids by chemical synthesis) or recombinant and is not from nature. A "non-naturally occurring binding protein" or "non-naturally occurring binding domain" is an artificial protein or domain, respectively, obtained by expression of a correspondingly designed nucleic acid. Preferably, expression is accomplished in eukaryotic or bacterial cells, or using a cell-free in vitro expression system. Further, the term indicates that the sequence of said binding protein or said binding domain is not present as a non-artificial sequence entry in sequence databases, e.g. in GenBank, EMBL-Bank or Swiss-Prot. These databases and other similar sequence databases are well known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention relates to a binding protein comprising a binding domain, wherein said binding domain inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2 and said binding protein and/or binding domain has a midpoint denaturation temperature (Tm) above 40 ℃ when unfolded pyrolytically, forming insoluble aggregates of less than 5% (w/w) at a concentration of up to 10 g/L when incubated for 1 day at 37 ℃ in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS).

The binding domain may inhibit VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2 by binding to VEGF-Axxx or to VEGFR-2 by: apparent dissociation constant (K) between VEGF-Axxx and VEGFR-2_d) Increase by more than 10²Times, preferably more than 10³More preferably more than 10 times⁴More preferably more than 10 times⁵Times, and most preferably more than 10⁶And (4) doubling. Preferably, the binding domain has an interaction with VEGF-Axxx or VEGFR-2 with a Kd of less than 10^-7M, preferably less than 10^-8M, more preferably less than 10^-9M, more preferably less than 10^-10M, and most preferably less than 10^-11And M. Methods for determining the dissociation constants of protein-protein interactions, such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) -based techniques, are well known to those skilled in the art.

Preferred binding domains bind to VEGF-Axxx. Even more preferred is a binding domain that binds to human VEGF-A165.

The term "PBS" denotes an aqueous phosphate buffered solution comprising 137 mM NaCl, 10 mM phosphate and 2.7 mM KCl and having a pH of 7.4.

Preferably, the binding protein and/or binding domain has a midpoint denaturation temperature (Tm) above 45 ℃, more preferably above 50 ℃, more preferably above 55 ℃, and most preferably above 60 ℃ when unfolded by pyrolysis. The binding proteins or binding domains of the invention have defined secondary and tertiary structures under physiological conditions. The pyrolytic folding of such polypeptides results in the loss of their tertiary and secondary structure, which can be followed, for example, by Circular Dichroism (CD) measurements. The midpoint denaturation temperature of a binding protein or binding domain upon thermal unfolding corresponds to the temperature of the midpoint of the cooperative switching of said protein or domain in physiological buffer upon thermal denaturation (by slow warming from 10 ℃ to about 100 ℃). Determination of the midpoint denaturation temperature upon thermal unfolding is well known to those skilled in the art. The mid-point denaturation temperature of the binding protein or binding domain upon unfolding by thermolysis is indicative of the thermostability of the polypeptide.

It is also preferred that the binding protein and/or binding domain form less than 5% (w/w) insoluble aggregates at a concentration of up to 20 g/L, preferably up to 40 g/L, more preferably up to 60 g/L, even more preferably up to 80 g/L, and most preferably up to 100 g/L when incubated in PBS at 37 ℃ for more than 5 days, preferably more than 10 days, more preferably more than 20 days, more preferably more than 40 days, and most preferably more than 100 days. The formation of insoluble aggregates can be detected by the occurrence of visible precipitation, gel filtration or dynamic light scattering, which increases significantly upon formation of insoluble aggregates. Insoluble aggregates can be removed from the protein sample by centrifugation at 10'000 Xg for 10 minutes. Preferably, the binding protein and/or binding domain forms less than 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%, or 0.05% (w/w) insoluble aggregates in PBS at 37 ℃ under the incubation conditions. The percentage of insoluble aggregates can be determined by: insoluble aggregates and soluble protein are separated and the amount of protein in the soluble and insoluble fractions is then determined by standard quantitation methods.

It is also preferred that the binding protein and/or binding domain does not lose its native three-dimensional structure after incubation for 1 or 10 hours in PBS containing 100 mM Dithiothreitol (DTT) at 37 ℃.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a binding protein comprising a binding domain that inhibits binding of VEGF-Axxxx to VEGFR-2 and having a specified or preferred midpoint denaturation temperature and non-aggregating properties as described above, wherein the binding protein has an IC of less than 100 nM₅₀Values inhibited sprouting of HUVEC spheres.

The term "HUVEC" refers to human umbilical vein endothelial cells that can be isolated from normal human umbilical veins and respond to VEGF-A stimulation. Assays for measuring HUVEC sphere sprouting, such as described in example 2, are well known to those skilled in the art.

IC₅₀The value is the concentration of a substance (such as a binding protein or binding domain) required for 50% inhibition in vitro of an experimentally determined parameter (such as sprouting of HUVEC spheres). IC (integrated circuit)₅₀Values can be readily determined by those skilled in the art (Korff t. and Augustin h.g., j. Cell biol. 143(5), 1341-52, 1998).

Preferably the binding protein and/or binding domain has an IC of less than 10 nM, preferably less than 1 nM, more preferably less than 0.1 nM, and most preferably less than 0.05 nM₅₀Values inhibited sprouting of HUVEC spheres.

Further preferred are ICs in which monomer binding proteins and/or binding domains inhibit HUVEC spheroids sprouting₅₀The values are lower than corresponding IC's of ranibizumab (Lucentis, registered trademark of Genetch), bevacizumab (Avastin, registered trademark of Genetch), aflibercept (VEGF Trap, registered trademark of Regeneron), or pegaptanib (Macugen, registered trademark of Pfizer)₅₀The value is obtained.

In particular, the invention relates to a binding protein comprising a binding domain that inhibits binding of VEGF-Axxxx to VEGFR-2, and having a specified or preferred midpoint denaturation temperature and non-aggregating properties as described above, wherein K, which interacts with the binding domain and the corresponding VEGF-Axxxx_dIn contrast, the binding domain and VEGF-Axxxb interacting K_dIs at least 10 times higher.

Preferably, K interacting with said binding domain and the corresponding VEGF-Axxx_dIn contrast, the binding domain and VEGF-Axxxb interacting K_dIs at least 10²Multiple, preferably 10³Multiple height, more preferably 10⁴Multiple height, more preferably 10⁵Multiple height, and most preferably 10⁶Is high in efficiency.

Also preferred, are K binding domains that interact with VEGF-Axxxb_dHigher than 10³nM, binding domain andk of VEGF-Axxx interaction_dBelow 10 or 1 nM..

Preferred binding domains with K interacting with VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, PlGF or PDGF_dAbove 1 nM, preferably above 10 nM, more preferably above 10 nM²nM, even more preferably higher than 10³nM, and most preferably above 10⁴ nM。

Preferably, VEGF-Axxx is dog VEGF-A164 or monkey VEGF-A165 or human VEGF-A165, and VEGF-Axxxb is dog VEGF-A164b or monkey VEGF-A165b or human VEGF-A165 b.

Another preferred embodiment is a recombinant binding protein comprising a binding domain, wherein said binding domain inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2, and said binding domain is a repeat domain or designed repeat domain. Such repeat domains may include one, two, three or more internal repeat modules that will be involved in binding to VEGF-Axxx. Preferably, such repeat domains include an N-terminal capping component, two to four internal repeat components, and a C-terminal capping component. Preferably, the binding domain is an ankyrin repeat domain or designed ankyrin repeat domain.

Preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain or the designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein1,2,3,4,5,6And are and7each independently represents an amino acid residue selected from A, D, E, F, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y.

Especially preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain or the designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from F, T, N, R, V, A, I, K, Q, S and Y; preferably selected from F, T, N, R and V; more preferably selected from F and T;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from W, Y, H and F; preferably selected from W, Y and H;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from M, I, F and V; preferably selected from M and I;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from H, A, K, G, L, M, N, T, V, W and Y; preferably selected from H, A and K;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from E, Y, F, V, H, I, L, N and R; preferably selected from E, Y, F, V and H; more preferably selected from E, Y, F and V; and

6represents an amino acid residue selected from A, N, Y, H and R.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from T, E, A, D, F, K, N, Q, R, S, W and Y; preferably selected from T and E;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from V, F, Y, A, H, I, K, R, T and W; preferably selected from V, F and Y;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from S, A, N, F and M; preferably selected from S, A and N; more preferably selected from S and A;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from Y, F, S and W;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from A, S, L and Y; preferably selected fromA and S;

6represents an amino acid residue selected from D, N, M, A, I, K and Y; preferably selected from D, N and M; more preferably selected from D and N;

7represents an amino acid residue selected from A, Y, H, N and D; and

8represents amino acid residue T or A.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from K, T and Y;

2represents amino acid residue N or M;

3represents an amino acid residue T or F;

4represents amino acid residue S or a;

5represents an amino acid residue H or R;

6represents an amino acid residue selected from A, Y, H and N; and

7represents amino acid residue A or T.

Even more preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein said repeat module is preceded by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO:2 and/or followed by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO: 4.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from A, N, R, V, Y, E, H, I, K, L, Q, S and T; preferably selected from A, N, R, V and Y; more preferably selected from A and R;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from S, A, N, R, D, F, L, P, T and Y; preferably selected from S, A, N and R;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from T, V, S, A, L and F; preferably selected from T, V, S, A and L; more preferably selected from T, V and S;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from W, F and H;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of P, I, A, L, S, T, V and Y; preferably selected from P and I;

6represents an amino acid residue selected from W, F, I, L, T and V;

7represents amino acid residue L or P; and

8represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from H, Q, A, K, R, D, I, L, M, N, V and Y; preferably selected from H, Q, A, K and R; more preferably selected from A and R;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from Y, F and H;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from Q, F and T;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from W, M, G, H, N and T; preferably selected from W and M;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from T, A, M, L and V; preferably selected from T, A and M;

6represents an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of I, L, V, D and T; preferably selected from I, L and V; and

7represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y.

Even more preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain or the designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having an ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID No. 6, wherein the repeat module is preceded by a repeat module having an ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID No. 5.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from K, M, N, R and V;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from Y, H, M and V;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from F, L, M and V;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from R, H, V, A, K and N; preferably selected from R, H, V and A;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from F, D, H, T, Y, M and K; preferably selected from F, D, H, T and Y; and

6represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from T, A, H, I, N and S;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from F, I, Q, R, V and N;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from A, G, N, Q and V;

4represents amino acid residue W or Y;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from A, S, T and M;

6represents an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of N, V, S, F, M and W;

7represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y; and

8represents amino acid residue T or A.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from K, A, V and N;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from N, I and Y;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from T, F, Y and W;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from W, D and Y;

5represents amino acid residue S or a;

6represents a compound selected from the group consisting of D,amino acid residues of I and M;

7represents an amino acid residue selected from L, T and Y; and

8represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, Y and N.

Even more preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO:8, wherein said repeat module is preceded by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO:7 and/or followed by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO: 9.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from L, S and T;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from G, S and C; preferably selected from G and S;

3represents amino acid residue S or a;

4represents an amino acid residue selected from Q, S, M and N; preferably selected from Q and S;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from L, M and Q; and

6represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N, Y and D.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from Y, H, F, I, L and W; preferably selected from Y and H;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from M, D, I, L, V; preferably selected from M and D;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from G, S and V;

4represents amino acid residue W or F;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from A, G and T;

6represents amino acid residue D or W;

7represents an amino acid residue L or F; and

8represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y.

Even more preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain or the designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO. 11, wherein the repeat module is preceded by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID NO. 10.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from K, S, I, N, T and V; preferably selected from K and S;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from K, N, W, A, H, M, Q and S; preferably selected from K and N;

3represents an amino acid residue selected from F, Q, L, H and V; preferably selected from F, Q and L;

4represents an amino acid residue F or T;

5represents an amino acid residue Q or H;

6represents amino acid residue Y or S;

7represents an amino acid residue selected from N, H, Y and M; preferably selected from N and H; and

8represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N and Y.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain or said designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat sequence motif

Wherein

1Represents an amino acid residue selected from F, Y, H and W; preferably selected from F, Y and H;

2represents an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of I, M, D and V; preferably selected from I, M and D;

3represents an amino acid residue F or L;

4represents amino acid residue L or P;

5represents an amino acid residue selected from H, L and Y; and

6represents an amino acid residue selected from A, H, N, C and Y.

Even more preferred is a recombinant binding protein, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain or the designed ankyrin repeat domain comprises a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID No. 13, wherein the repeat module is preceded by a repeat module having the ankyrin repeat motif of SEQ ID No. 12.

Another preferred embodiment is a recombinant binding protein comprising at least one repeat domain having binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx, wherein the repeat domain competes for binding to VEGF-Axxx with a repeat domain selected from SEQ ID NOs:16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and 33, or a repeat domain selected from SEQ ID NOs:16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36, 39 and 40.

The term "competitive binding" means that two different binding domains of the invention are not capable of binding to the same target simultaneously, but that both are capable of binding to the same target separately. Thus, the two binding domains compete for binding to the target. Methods of determining whether two binding domains compete for binding to a target, such as competitive ELISA or competitive SPR measurements (e.g., by using the Proteon apparatus from BioRad), are well known to those skilled in the art.

Recombinant binding proteins that compete with the selected repeat proteins for binding to VEGF-Axxx can be identified by methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Another preferred embodiment is a recombinant binding protein comprising a repeat domain having binding specificity for VEGF-Axxxx selected from SEQ ID NOs:14 to 33, or selected from SEQ ID NOs:14 to 40.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein wherein said repeat domain having binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to a repeat domain of said set of repeat domains. Preferably, the amino acid sequence identity is at least 75%, more preferably 80%, more preferably 85%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95%.

Further preferred is a recombinant binding protein wherein said repeat domain having binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx comprises a repeat module having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to the repeat module of the repeat domain of said set of repeat domains. Preferably, the amino acid sequence identity is at least 75%, more preferably 80%, more preferably 85%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95%.

In a further preferred embodiment of the recombinant binding protein of the invention comprising a repeat domain, one or more amino acid residues of the repeat module of the repeat domain are replaced by amino acid residues found at the corresponding position when the repeat units are aligned. Preferably, up to 30% of the amino acid residues are replaced, more preferably, up to 20%, and even more preferably, up to 10% of the amino acid residues are replaced. Most preferably, such a repeat unit is a naturally occurring repeat unit. Even more preferably, the repeat domain has binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx or VEGFR-2.

In yet another specific embodiment, up to 30% of the amino acid residues, more preferably, up to 20%, and even more preferably, up to 10% of the amino acid residues are replaced by amino acids not found at the corresponding position of the repeat unit.

In further embodiments, any of the VEGF-Axxx binding proteins or domains described herein can be covalently bound to one or more other moieties, including, for example, also binding

A portion of VEGFR-2 (e.g., a VEGFR-2 binding polypeptide), a portion that binds a different target such as PlGF, human serum albumin, a cell receptor (e.g., Her2), an immunoglobulin (e.g., IgG1), a cytokine (e.g., TNF-alpha or interleukin) or a growth factor to produce a bispecific binding agent, a labeling portion (e.g., a fluorescent label such as fluorescein, or a radioactive tracer), a portion that facilitates protein purification (e.g., a small peptide tag such as a His-or strep-tag), a portion that provides effector function for improved therapeutic effect (e.g., an antibody Fc portion that provides antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, a toxic protein portion such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa ((R))Pseudomonas aeruginosa) Exotoxin a (eta) or a small molecule toxic agent such as maytansinoids or DNA alkylating agents) or a moiety that provides improved pharmacokinetics. Improved pharmacokinetics can be assessed according to perceived therapeutic need. It is often desirable to increase bioavailability and/or increase the time between administrations, possibly by increasing the time that protein remains available in the serum after administration. In some cases, it is desirable to improve the continuity of protein serum concentration over time (e.g., reduce the difference in protein serum concentration between just after administration and shortly before the next administration). Moieties that tend to slow down protein clearance from the blood include hydroxyethyl starch (HES), polyethylene glycol (PEG), sugars (e.g., saliva)Liquid acid), well-tolerated protein moieties (e.g., Fc fragment or serum albumin), and binding domains or peptides with specificity and affinity for abundant serum proteins, such as antibody Fc fragment or serum albumin. Recombinant binding proteins of the invention can be linked to a moiety that reduces the clearance of the polypeptide in a mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, or human) to less than 1/3 relative to the unmodified polypeptide.

One or more polyethylene glycol moieties may be attached to various positions of the binding protein, and such attachment may be achieved by reaction with an amine, thiol, or other suitable reactive group. Attachment of the polyethylene glycol moiety (PEGylation) may be site-directed, wherein a suitable reactive group is introduced into the protein to create a site at which PEGylation preferably occurs, or the suitable reactive group is originally present in the conjugated protein. A thiol group may be present in a cysteine residue; and the amine group can be, for example, a primary amine found at the N-terminus of the polypeptide or an amine group present in an amino acid side chain, such as lysine or arginine. In a preferred embodiment, the binding protein is engineered to have a cysteine residue at a desired position, allowing site-directed pegylation of the cysteine, for example by reaction with a polyethylene glycol derivative carrying a maleimide functional group. The molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol moiety can vary widely (i.e., from about 1 kDa to about 100 kDa), and can be branched or linear. Preferably, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of about 1 to about 50 kDa, preferably about 10 to about 40 kDa, even more preferably about 15 to about 30 kDa, and most preferably about 20 kDa.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding specific recombinant binding proteins. Furthermore, it relates to vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules.

Further, it relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the above-mentioned binding proteins, in particular recombinant binding proteins comprising a repeat domain, or nucleic acid molecules encoding a particular recombinant binding protein, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents are known to those skilled in the art and will be explained in more detail below. Even further, it relates to diagnostic compositions comprising one or more of the above recombinant binding proteins, in particular binding proteins comprising repeat domains.

The binding proteins of the invention inhibit or prevent VEGF-induced pathological angiogenesis, vascular leakage (edema), pulmonary hypertension, neoplasia and/or inflammatory disorders. By "inhibiting" is meant that the recombinant protein prevents the disease to some extent, for example to 10% or 20%, more preferably 50%, especially 70%, 80% or 90%, or even 95%.

The term "edema" refers to a condition caused by vascular leakage. Vasodilation and increased permeability during inflammation are the major pathogenic mechanisms. For example, edema leads to enlargement of the infarct after stroke, and may cause life threatening intracranial hypertension in cancer patients. In addition, extravasation of plasma proteins contributes to the metastatic spread of occult tumors, and airway congestion can cause fatal asthmatic attacks. Increased vascular leakage that occurs during inflammation can lead to respiratory distress, ascites, peritoneal sclerosis (in dialysis patients), adhesion formation (abdominal surgery) and metastatic spread.

The term "angiogenesis" refers to the fundamental process of forming new blood vessels. The initial angiogenic phase in humans occurs in the first three months of embryonic development, but angiogenesis also occurs as a normal physiological process during tissue growth, such as increases in muscle or fat, as well as the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.

The term "pathological angiogenesis" refers to the formation and growth of blood vessels during the maintenance and progression of several disease states. Specific examples of pathological angiogenesis are found in blood vessels (atherosclerosis, hemangioma, endovascular endothelioma), bones and joints (rheumatoid arthritis, synovitis, bone and cartilage injuries, osteomyelitis, pannus growth, osteophyte formation, tumors and metastases), skin (warts, pyogenic granulomas, hair growth, kaposi's sarcoma, scar keloids, allergic edema, tumors), liver, kidney, lung, ear and other epithelial cells (inflammatory and infectious processes include hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, pneumonia; and asthma, nasal polyps, otitis, transplant disorders, liver regeneration disorders, tumors and metastases), uterus, ovaries and placenta (dysfunctional uterine bleeding caused by contraceptives, follicular cyst formation, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, endometriosis, tumors), brain, nerves and eyes (retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal and other intraocular disorders, leukomalacia, tumors and metastases), cardiac and skeletal muscle resulting from workload, adipose tissue (obesity), endocrine organs (thyroiditis, thyromegaly, pancreatic transplantation disorders), hematopoiesis (Kaposi syndrome in AIDS), hematologic malignancies (leukemia), and lymphatic vessels (tumor metastases, lymphoproliferative disorders).

The term "retinal ischemia" means that the blood and oxygen supply to the retina is reduced and the peripheral parts of the retina lose their nutritional source and cease normal function. A specific example of a ischemic disease of the retina is retinopathy. Common diseases causing retinopathy are diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, carotid stenosis, and sickle cell retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. In ischemic retina, there is growth of new blood vessels (neovascularization). These blood vessels often grow on the surface of the retina, in the optic nerve, on the iris in the front of the eye. The new blood vessels do not replace the flow of essential nutrients and, instead, can cause a number of problems such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment and uncontrolled glaucoma. These problems exist because new blood vessels are fragile and prone to bleeding, which if found in their early stages, can sometimes block proliferative diabetic retinopathy using pan-retinal photocoagulation. However, in some cases, the vitrectomy (vitrectomy) procedure is the only option.

In addition to these retinopathies, vascular diseases of the eye include ocular neovascularization diseases such as macular degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). Macular degeneration results from neovascularization of the choroidal vessels under the macula. There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. Although wet macular degeneration includes only 15% of all macular degeneration, almost all of the wet macular degeneration is blinding. In addition, wet macular degeneration almost always results from dry macular degeneration. Once one eye becomes infected with wet macular degeneration, the condition usually infects the other eye. The wet form of macular degeneration is often referred to as wet age-related macular degeneration of wet-AMD, as it is found primarily in the elderly.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and DME are the leading causes of blindness in working age populations in most developed countries. The increasing number of diabetic patients worldwide indicates that DR and DME will remain the leading causes of vision loss and associated functional impairment in the coming years. Several biochemical mechanisms (including protein kinase C-beta activation, increased vascular endothelial growth factor production, oxidative stress, and accumulation of intracellular sorbitol and highly glycosylated end products) may lead to vascular destruction manifested as DR/DME. Inhibition of these pathways holds promise for intervention in DR and DME.

The term "pulmonary hypertension" refers to a condition of abnormally high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. In the absence of other diseases of the heart or lungs, it is called primary pulmonary hypertension. Disseminated stenosis of pulmonary arterioles occurs as a result of pathological arteriogenesis, followed by pulmonary hypertension as a response to increased obstruction of blood flow. The incidence was 8 out of 100' 000. However, pulmonary hypertension can also occur as a complication of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis or diffuse interstitial fibrosis, as well as in asthmatic COPD patients. The incidence of COPD is about 5 out of 10' 000.

Furthermore, the binding proteins of the invention are useful for the treatment of inflammation and more specifically inflammatory disorders.

The term "inflammation" as used herein means a local reaction to a living tissue injury, in particular small blood vessels, their contents and their associated structures. The passage of blood components through the vessel wall into the tissue is a marker of inflammation and the resulting collection of tissue is known as exudate or edema. Any deleterious step that destroys living tissue, such as infection with bacteria, overheating, cooling, mechanical injury such as squeezing, acids, alkali metals, radiation, or infection with viruses, can cause inflammation, regardless of the organ or tissue involved. It is clear that diseases classified as "inflammatory diseases" and tissue reactions ranging from burns to pneumonia, leprosy, tuberculosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are all "inflammatory".

The binding proteins of the invention are useful for treating neoplasia. The term "tumor" means an abnormal tissue mass, derived from pre-existing somatic cells without apparent cause, without expected function, characterized by a tendency to grow spontaneously and indefinitely. Tumors are quite different from inflammatory or other swelling in that the cells within the tumor are abnormal in their morphology and other characteristics. Abnormal cells, i.e., the types of cells that normally make up a tumor, differ from normal cells in that they undergo one or more of the following changes: (1) hypertrophy, or increase in single cell size; (2) proliferation or an increase in the number of cells in a given area; (3) degenerative changes, or the deterioration of cell physiological characteristics to more primitive or undifferentiated types. The tumor can be benign, such as lipoma, hemangioma, osteoma, chondroma, and adenoma. Examples of malignant tumors are carcinomas (such as breast carcinomas, carcinomas of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands and genitourinary systems), sarcomas (in connective tissue, including fibrous tissue, adipose (fat) tissue, muscle, blood vessels, bone, and cartilage), carcinosarcomas (in both epithelial and connective tissue), leukemias and lymphomas, tumors of nervous tissue (including the brain), and melanomas (cancers of pigmented skin cells). The use of the binding proteins of the invention against tumors may also be combined with any other tumor therapy known in the art such as radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy or surgery.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprise a binding protein as described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or stabilizer (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, a. ed. [1980 ]). Suitable carriers, excipients or stabilizers known to the skilled worker are saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, Hank's solution, fixed oils, ethyl oleate, 5% dextrose in saline, substances which enhance isotonicity and chemical stability, buffers and preservatives. Other suitable carriers include any carrier that does not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition, such as proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polyamino acids, and amino acid copolymers. The pharmaceutical compositions may also be combined preparations comprising other active agents, such as anti-cancer or anti-angiogenic agents (e.g., human VEGF-Axxxb; preferably, human VEGF-A165 b).

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions for treating ocular diseases include binding proteins as described above and a detergent such as polysorbate 20 (e.g., about 0.04%), a buffering agent such as histidine, phosphate or lactic acid and a sugar such as sucrose or trehalose. Preferably, such compositions comprise a binding protein as described above and PBS. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered topically, or topically to a portion of the eye or injected into the eye, for example, into the subconjunctival, peribulbar or retrobulbar space or directly into the eye. Alternatively, the composition may be administered systemically by parenteral administration. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is applied to the eye by intravitreal injection. Also preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is applied topically to the eye and as eye drops. Eye drops can be applied to the cornea (clear portion of the center of the eye) to allow penetration of the molecule into the eye. For the treatment of diseases affecting the back of the eye, it is most desirable that the binding protein be able to penetrate the sclera when injected subconjunctivally or peribulbar. Administration of the binding protein may be performed after a preliminary step of conditioning the surface of the eye to enhance molecular penetration. Preferably, the epithelial layer, such as corneal epithelium, is modulated by a penetration enhancer to allow sufficient and rapid penetration of molecules such as those described above. The use of the binding proteins of the invention against ocular diseases may also be combined with any other therapy known in the art such as photodynamic therapy.

Formulations for in vivo administration must be sterile or aseptic. This can conveniently be achieved by filtration through a filtration membrane.

Sustained release formulations can be prepared. In one embodiment of the invention, intraocular implants may be used to provide the binding proteins of the invention. Suitable examples of sustained release formulations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers comprising a polypeptide of the invention, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, or microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (e.g., poly (2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly (vinyl alcohol)), polylactide, copolymers of L-glutamic acid and gamma-ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as LUPRON DEPOT (injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and poly-D- (-) -3-hydroxybutyric acid.

The pharmaceutical composition may be administered using any suitable method known to the skilled person. The preferred route of administration is parenteral. In parenteral administration, the medicament of the present invention will be formulated in unit dosage injectable forms, such as solutions, suspensions or emulsions, together with the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients described above. The dosage and mode of administration will depend on the individual to be treated and the particular disease. Typically, the pharmaceutical composition is administered such that the binding protein of the invention is administered in a dose of 1. mu.g/kg to 20 mg/kg, more preferably 10. mu.g/kg to 5 mg/kg, most preferably 0.1 to 2 mg/kg. Preferably, it is administered as a bolus dose. Continuous infusion, including continuous subcutaneous delivery through osmotic mini-pumps, may also be used. In this case, the pharmaceutical composition is administered at an infusion dose of 5 to 20. mu.g/kg/min, more preferably 7 to 15. mu.g/kg/min. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition is administered by injection into the eye such that the binding protein of the invention is administered in a dose of 0.1 mg to 10 mg per injection, more preferably 0.3 to 6 mg per injection, most preferably 1 mg to 4 mg per injection. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the eye by eye drops such that a single drop solution administered to the eye contains the binding protein of the invention at a concentration of 10 to 120 mg/ml, more preferably 20 to 100 mg/ml, most preferably 40 to 80 mg/ml.

In another embodiment of the invention, a binding protein that inhibits the activity of VEGF-Axxxx as described above can be used in combination with a binding protein or small molecule that inhibits PlGF activity (having the same level of PlGF inhibition as described above for VEGF-Axxxx). This embodiment is based on the fact that: PlGF is found to be angiogenic at sites of increased VEGF-Axxxx levels. Furthermore, a binding protein that inhibits VEGF-Axxx activity as described above can be used in combination with a binding protein or small molecule that inhibits the activity of: platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), VEGF-C or other members of the VEGF family of proteins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), delta-ligand like 4 (DII4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), neuropilin or angiopoietin 2 (Ang 2).

The invention also provides novel methods of treatment. In one aspect, there is provided a method of treating retinopathy, said method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a binding protein of the invention, particularly a binding protein that inhibits the interaction of human VEGF-Axxx and human VEGFR-2, but does not inhibit the interaction of VEGF-Axxxb and human VEGFR-2, and said binding protein inhibits VEGFR-2 mediated angiogenesis.

The invention also relates to methods of using the binding proteins to inhibit VEGF-A biological activity or to inhibit VEGFR-2 mediated biological activity in a cell. The cells may be located in vivo or ex vivo, and may be, for example, cells of a living organism, cells in culture, or cells in a tissue sample. The method comprises contacting the cell with any of the VEGF-a/VEGFR-2 interaction inhibiting binding proteins disclosed herein in an amount and for a time sufficient to inhibit such biological activity.

The invention provides methods of treating a subject suffering from a condition responsive to inhibition of VEGF-Axxx or VEGFR-2. Such methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a binding protein described herein. The condition may be a condition characterized by inappropriate angiogenesis. The condition may be a hyperproliferative condition. Examples of conditions (or disorders) suitable for treatment include autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, retinopathies (especially proliferative retinopathies), and cancer, especially one of the aforementioned diseases. Any of the binding proteins described herein can be used in the preparation of a medicament for treating a disorder, in particular a disorder selected from the group consisting of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, retinopathy, and cancer. Preferred conditions (or disorders) suitable for treatment are first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma, recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, adjuvant (adjuvant) colon cancer, adjuvant HER 2-negative breast cancer, adjuvant HER 2-positive breast cancer, adjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, first-line advanced gastric cancer, first-line HER 2-negative metastatic breast cancer, first-line HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer, first-line metastatic ovarian cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, high-risk carcinoid tumors, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, metastatic head and neck cancer, recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, second-line metastatic breast cancer, generalized small cell lung cancer, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer and previously treated CNS metastases and recurrent multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal and pancreatic cancer, Advanced Ovarian Cancer (AOC), AOC patients with symptomatic malignant ascites, and non-hodgkin's lymphoma.

Recombinant binding proteins of the invention may be obtained and/or further developed by several methods, such as phage surface display (WO 90/02809, WO 07/006665) or bacterial cell surface display (WO 93/10214), ribosome display (WO 98/48008), plasmid display (WO 93/08278) or the use of covalent RNA-repeat protein hybrid constructs (WO 00/32823), or intracellular expression and selection/screening such as by protein complementation assays (WO 98/341120). Such methods are known to those skilled in the art.

The ankyrin repeat protein libraries used for selection/screening of recombinant binding proteins of the invention may be obtained according to protocols known to those skilled in the art (WO 02/020565, Binz, H.K. et al., JMB, 332, 489-503, 2003, and Binz et al., 2004, supra). The use of such libraries for VEGF-Axxx-specific DARPins selection is given in example 1. Similarly, the ankyrin repeat sequence motifs described above can be used to construct a pool of ankyrin repeats (which can be used for selection or screening of VEGF-Axxx-specific DARPins). Furthermore, the repeat domains of the present invention can be modularly assembled from the repeat assemblies of the present invention and suitable capping assemblies using standard recombinant DNA techniques (e.g. WO 02/020565, Binz et al, 2003, in the above-mentioned references, and Binz et al, 2004, in the above-mentioned references) (Forrer, p., et al, FEBS letters 539, 2-6, 2003).

The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the examples. Other sources may be used and disposed of as generally outlined below.

Examples

All starting materials and reagents disclosed below are known to those skilled in the art and are commercially available or can be prepared using well known techniques.

Material

Chemicals were purchased from fluka (switzerland). Oligonucleotides were purchased from Microsynth (Switzerland). Unless otherwise indicated, DNA polymerases, restriction endonucleases and buffers were purchased from New England Biolabs (USA) or Fermentas (Lithuania). The cloning strain and the protein-producing strain were E.coli XL1-blue (Stratagene, USA). VEGF variants were purchased from R & D Systems (Minneapolis, USA), or produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells or Pichia pastoris and purified according to standard procedures (Rennel, E.S. et al, European J. Cancer 44, 1883-94, 2008; 2008; Pichia expression Systems were purchased from Invitrogen). Biotinylated VEGF variants were obtained chemically, and the biotin moiety was coupled to the primary amine of the purified VEGF variant using standard biotinylation reagents and methods (Pierce, USA).

Molecular biology

Unless otherwise indicated, the methods were carried out according to the protocols described (Sambrook J., Fritsch E.F. and Maniatis T., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 1989, New York).

Designed ankyrin repeat protein library

Ankyrin repeat protein libraries designed by N2C and N3C are described (WO 02/20565; Binz et al 2003, supra; Binz et al 2004, supra). The numbers in N2C and N3C describe the number of randomly repeating modules present between the N and C ends of the capping module. The nomenclature used to define repeat units and positions within modules is based on Binz et al 2004, and in the above citations, the alteration is the shifting of the boundaries of repeat modules and repeat units by one amino acid position. For example,position 1 of the repeating assembly of Binz et al.2004 (in the above citation) corresponds to position 2 of the repeating assembly herein, so position 33 of the repeating assembly of Binz et al.2004 (in the above citation) corresponds to position 1 of the next repeating assembly herein.

All DNA sequences were confirmed by sequencing and the calculated molecular weights of all described proteins were confirmed by mass spectrometry.

Example 1 selection of binding proteins including repeat Domain with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx

Display by ribosome (Hanes, J. and Pl ü ckthun, A., PNAS)944937-42, 1997), a number of designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx were selected from the N2C or N3C DARPin libraries described by Binz et al 2004 (cited above). The binding of the selected clones to specific (VEGF-Axxx) and non-specific (MBP, e.coli maltose binding protein) targets was evaluated by crude extract ELISA, indicating that VEGF-Axxx binding proteins were successfully selected (figure 1). 14 to 40 constitute the amino acid sequence of a selected binding protein comprising a repeat domain with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx. Sequence analysis of selected binders revealed specific ankyrin repeat motifs inherent to certain selected binder families. Such ankyrin repeat motifs present in repeat domains with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx are provided in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 13.

Selection of VEGF-Axxx specific ankyrin repeat proteins by ribosome display

Selection of VEGF-Axxx-specific ankyrin repeat proteins was performed by ribosome display (Hanes and Pl u ckthun, supra), using either dog VEGF-a164 or human VEGF-a165 as target proteins, ankyrin repeat protein libraries designed as described (WO 02/020565, Binz et al, 2003, supra and Binz et al, 2004, supra) and established protocols (Zahnd, c., Amstutz, p. and Pl u ckthun, a., nat.Methods 4, 69-79, 2007). The dog or human VEGF variants (including biotinylated variants, immobilized neutravidin or streptavidin) were subjected to ribosome display selection cycles using an established protocol (Binz et al, 2004, supra) using N2C and N3C DARPin libraries. The number of Reverse Transcription (RT) -PCR cycles after each round of selection was constantly reduced from 40 to 30 to accommodate the yield from binder enrichment. 4 rounds of preliminary selection for dog VEGF yielded a mixture of nanomolar affinity DARPins, as shown by ELISA and SPR measurements of individual clones. To find DARPins with further improved affinity, biotinylated human or dog VEGF immobilized to neutravidin or streptavidin was subjected to an additional off-rate selection (off-rate selection), followed by a second and third round of initial ribosome display of the selected mixture, followed by an on-rate selection of human VEGF.

Selected clones specifically bound VEGF-Axxx as shown by crude extract ELISA

Selected individual DARPins that specifically bind VEGF-Axxx are identified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using crude e.coli extracts of DARPin-expressing cells using standard procedures. Selected clones were cloned into pQE30 (Qiagen) expression vector, transformed into E.coli XL1-blue (Stratagene), and grown overnight at 37 ℃ in 96 deep well plates (each clone in a single well) containing 1 ml of growth medium (2YT contains 1% glucose and 100 μ g/ml ampicillin). 100 μ l of overnight culture was inoculated into 1 ml fresh 2YT (containing 50 μ g/ml ampicillin) in a new 96-deep well plate. After 2 h incubation at 37 ℃ expression was induced using IPTG (1 mM final concentration) and continued for 3 h. The cells were collected, resuspended in 100 μ l B-PERII (Pierce), and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature with shaking. Then, 900 μ l of PBS-TB (PBS added 0.2% BSA, 0.1% Tween 20, pH 7.4) was added, and cell debris was removed by centrifugation. 100 μ l of each lysed clone was added to wells of NeutrAvidin coated MaxiSorp plates (containing VEGF-Axxx variants or unrelated MBPs immobilized by their biotin moiety) and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. After thorough washing with PBS-T (PBS supplemented with 0.1% Tween 20, pH 7.4), monoclonal anti-RGS (His) was used₄The plates were developed by standard ELISA using antibody (34650, Qiagen) as the primary antibody and alkaline phosphatase conjugated polyclonal goat anti-mouse antibody (a3562, Sigma) as the second reagent. Binding was then detected using disodium 4-nitrophenylphosphate (4NPP, Fluka) as a substrate for alkaline phosphatase. Color development was measured at 405 nm. The results of an exemplary crude extract ELISA used to identify DARPins that bind VEGF-Axxx are shown in figure 1. Screening of hundreds of clones by this crude cell extract ELISA showed that more than hundreds of different DARPins hadHas specificity to VEGF-Axxx. These binding proteins were selected for further analysis. Examples of amino acid sequences of ankyrin repeat domains selected to specifically bind VEGF-Axxx are provided in SEQ ID NOS:14 to 40.

Inferring repeat sequence motifs from selected repeat domains with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxxx

The amino acid sequence of the selected repeat domain (with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx) is further analyzed by sequence analysis tools known to those skilled in the art (WO 02/020565; Forrer et al, 2003, supra; Forrer, P., Binz, H.K., Stumpp, M.T. and Pl ü ckthun, A., ChemBioChem, 5(2), 183-189, 2004). However, unlike WO 02/020565 (in which a naturally occurring repeat motif is used to deduce the repeat sequence motif), the repeat sequence motif is deduced herein from selected repeat units of the repeat domain that have binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx. Thereby identifying a family of selected repeat domains that include common repeat sequence motifs. Such repeat sequence motifs present in the repeat domains with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxxx are provided in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 13.

High level and soluble expression of DARPins

For further analysis, selected clones that showed specific VEGF-Axxx binding in the crude cell extract ELISA were expressed in e.coli XL1-blue cells and purified by standard procedures using their His-tag. 25 ml of a static overnight culture (LB, 1% glucose, 100 mg/l ampicillin; 37 ℃) were used to inoculate 1 liter of culture (same medium). At a (600) = 0.7, the culture was induced with 0.5 mM IPTG and incubated at 37 ℃ for 4 h. The culture was centrifuged and the pellet resuspended in 40 ml TBS500 (50 mM Tris-HCl, 500 mM NaCl, pH 8) and sonicated. The lysate was centrifuged again and glycerol (10% (v/v) final concentration) and imidazole (20 mM final concentration) were added to the resulting supernatant. The protein was purified on a Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid column (2.5 ml column volume) according to the manufacturer's instructions (QIAgen, Germany). Highly soluble DARPins (with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx) up to 200 mg could be purified from 1 liter E.coli cultures with >95% purity as estimated by SDS-15% PAGE. This purified DARPins was used for further characterization.

Example 2 identification of selected antibodies with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx in a spheroid growth assay₅₀IC value of DARPins

Addition of VEGF-Axxx to HUVEC spheres embedded in a collagen matrix resulted in sphere sprouting. Addition of an inhibitor of VEGF-Axxx will block shoot formation, which can be statistically quantified by the number and length of shoots. By adding different concentrations of inhibitor and a constant amount of VEGF, the IC can be determined₅₀。

Inhibition of spheroid sprouting by VEGF-Axxx specific DARPins

The spheroid growth assay was done according to standard procedures (Korff et al, supra). DARPins with specificity for VEGF-Axxx were picked and purified to >96% purity as described in example 1. Human umbilical vein cells were grown to confluence in monolayer culture. After trypsinization, the cell suspension was placed in hanging-drop conditions to form spheres, i.e., approximately 500 HUVECs with tissue aggregates. Spheres were embedded in a collagen matrix and stimulated with VEGF-A165 to initiate shoot growth. Germination inhibitors were additionally added to observe their effect on germination inhibition. The number of shoots and shoot length per sphere were quantified using graphical software.

Results from 2 exemplary sphere germination assays are shown in FIG. 2a (DARPin #30 with binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx) and FIG. 2b (DARPin NC, negative control DARPin without binding specificity for VEGF-Axxx; e.g., DARPin E3_5 (Binz et al, 2005, supra)). The DARPins that performed best in this assay showed an IC ranging from 10 to 50 pM₅₀Value, IC of Avastin, Lucentis and Macugen in parallel experiments displaying the range of 150 to 500 pM₅₀The value is obtained.

Example 3 determination of DARPin #27 and Avastin by surface plasmon resonance analysis®Comparative target specificity

Dog VEGF-A164 or dog VEGF-A164b was immobilized to a flow cell and DARPin #27 (SEQ ID NO:16) and Avastin were analyzed for their interaction with the immobilized target.

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis

SPR was measured using a ProteOn apparatus (BioRad). The running buffer was 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl and 0.005% Tween 20. Approximately 1200 RU of dog VEGF-A164 or dog VEGF-A164b was immobilized on a GLC chip (BioRad). The interaction was measured, 5 minutes buffer flow at a flow rate of 60. mu.l/min, 100 second injections of Avastin or DARPin #27 at a concentration of 250 nM, and a few minutes dissociation rate measurement with buffer flow. The signal of the uncoated reference cell is subtracted from the measured value.

The results are shown in FIG. 3a (interaction of Avastin with dog VEGF-A164), FIG. 3b (interaction of Avastin with dog VEGF-A164 b), FIG. 3c (interaction of DARPin #27 with dog VEGF-A164) and FIG. 3d (interaction of DARPin #27 with dog VEGF-A164 b). Avastin clearly interacted with both fixed VEGF isoforms, whereas DARPin #27 showed only interaction with VEGF-A164, not VEGF-A164 b.

Example 4 in vivo efficacy ofDARPin #30 in vascular leak Rabbit model to inhibit VEGF-A165

Pegylated DARPin #30 (SEQ ID NO:29) or Lucentis @ were applied to the eyes of rabbits by intravitreal injection to test their efficacy in inhibiting vascular leakage (induced by subsequent intravitreal injection of human VEGF-A165).

Measurement of vascular leak inhibition in rabbits

On the first day, PBS, PEGylated DARPin #30 (125. mu.g) or an equimolar amount of Lucentis @ (162. mu.g) was applied to one eye of each rabbit (treated eyes) by intravitreal injection. Onday 4 orday 30, the treated eyes of each rabbit were challenged by intravitreal injection of 500 ng human VEGF-A165. Both eyes of all animals were evaluated 48 hours after VEGF-A165 injection and the fluorescein content in all eyes was measured 1 h after intravenous sodium fluorescein (50 mg/kg animal body weight, 10% (w/v) in 0.9% (w/v) saline). The ratio of the amount of fluorescence from the treated eye to the untreated eye was calculated for each animal. A ratio of 1 corresponds to the absence of additional fluorescence leakage in the treated eye, and a ratio greater than 1 indicates more fluorescence leakage in the treated eye than in the untreated control eye.

Preparation of pegylated darpins

PEGylation of proteins using single Cys residues and maleimide chemistry is well known to those skilled in the art and can be performed according to established protocols (e.g., from Pierce).DARPin #30, including an additional C-terminal linker (GGGSGGGSC, SEQ ID NO:41), was purified to near homogeneity using standard chromatography. The protein was completely reduced using DTT and purified by gel filtration to remove DTT, and the buffer was changed to PBS. PEG-maleimide (methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol) -oxopropylamino-propylmaleimide in PBS; NOF, No. Sunbright ME-200MA) was mixed with DARPin in PBS at room temperature for 2-4 hours, with a PEG-maleimide molar excess of about 15%. Pegylated DARPin was then separated from unreacted DARPin and unreacted PEG moieties using standard anion exchange chromatography.

The results are shown in FIG. 4.Pegylated DARPin #30 andLucentis ® 4 days after administration by intravitreal injection, they were able to protect rabbit eyes from VEGF-A165 induced vascular leakage. Nevertheless, onlyPEGylated DARPin #30, but not Lucentis, protected the rabbit eyes from VEGF-A165-induced vascular leakage up to 30 days after intravitreal injection.

Sequence listing

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Binz, Hans Kaspar

Forrer, Patrik

Stumpp, Michael Tobias

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<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 7

Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 8

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (3)..(4)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (6)..(6)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (14)..(15)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (33)..(33)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 8

Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Xaa

<210> 9

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (3)..(4)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (6)..(6)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (12)..(12)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (14)..(15)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 9

Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Thr Pro Leu His Leu Xaa Ala Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 10

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (5)..(5)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (14)..(15)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (18)..(18)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 10

Xaa Asp Phe Lys Xaa Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Xaa Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 11

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (3)..(3)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (5)..(6)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (13)..(15)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 11

Xaa Asp Xaa Leu Xaa Xaa Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 12

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (3)..(4)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (6)..(6)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (10)..(10)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (14)..(15)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 12

Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Thr Pro Leu Xaa Leu Ala Ala Xaa Xaa Gly

1 5 10 15

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 13

<211> 33

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> Anchor protein repeat sequence motifs

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (1)..(1)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (3)..(4)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (8)..(8)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (17)..(17)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<220>

<221> misc_feature

<222> (27)..(27)

<223> Xaa can be any naturally occurring amino acid

<400> 13

Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Gly Trp Thr Xaa Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu Gly

1 5 10 15

Xaa Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Xaa Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

20 25 30

Ala

<210> 14

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 14

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 15

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 15

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 16

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 16

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly Arg Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 17

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 17

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Thr Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 18

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 18

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 19

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 19

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Ile Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 20

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 20

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Trp Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Thr Asp Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Thr Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 21

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 21

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Phe Asp Tyr Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala His Asn Gly

35 40 45

His Met Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Ser Asp Tyr Ser Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 22

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 22

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Val Asp Tyr Ile Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Tyr Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Ser Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Glu Asp Phe Ala Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser Asn

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Thr Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 23

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 23

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Thr Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Thr Asp Tyr Met Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Lys Val Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Glu Asp Tyr Asn Gly Tyr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Met

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Ala Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Thr Lys Asp Asn Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

100 105 110

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 24

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 24

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Arg Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Ala Asp Phe Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Val

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 25

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 25

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Arg Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Ala Asp Phe Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Val

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 26

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 26

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Thr

20 25 30

Ala Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala His Asp Tyr Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Thr Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 27

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 27

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Thr

20 25 30

Ala Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Val Ala Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Thr His Asp Tyr Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Thr Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Arg Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 28

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 28

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Thr

20 25 30

Ala Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Met His Leu Ala Ala Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Gln Asp Phe Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Ile

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 29

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 29

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Thr

20 25 30

Ala Asp Ser Thr Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Val Pro Trp Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Lys Asp Phe Gln Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Ile

65 70 75 80

Gly His Gln Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 30

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 30

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asp Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Phe Lys Gly Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser Gln Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Tyr Asp Met Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Arg Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 31

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 31

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Phe Lys Gly Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser Gln Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Ser Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Phe Asp Leu Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 32

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 32

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Leu Asp Phe Lys Gly Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Ser Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala His Asp Met Leu Ser Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Gly Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Arg Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 33

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 33

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Val Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Thr Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Lys Asp Gln Phe Gly Phe Thr Pro Leu Gln Leu Ala Ala Tyr Asn Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Phe Asp Ile Phe Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Arg Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 34

<211> 127

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 34

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Val Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Asn Gln Gly Thr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser His Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Asp Ala His Asp Asp Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ser Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

85 90 95

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

100 105 110

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 35

<211> 127

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 35

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Thr Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Asn Gln Gly Thr Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser His Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Asp Ala His Asp Asp Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp

65 70 75 80

Leu Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp

85 90 95

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

100 105 110

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 36

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 36

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asp Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Phe Lys Gly Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser Gln Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Tyr Asp Met Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Arg Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 37

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 37

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Val Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Asp Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Ser Asp Phe Lys Gly Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ser Gln Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Tyr Asp Met Leu Gly Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 38

<211> 126

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 38

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Thr

20 25 30

Leu Asp Phe Lys Ser Asp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Ser Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala His Asp Met Leu Ser Trp Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Gly Asp Leu

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

100 105 110

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

115 120 125

<210> 39

<211> 159

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 39

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Lys Asp Ile Tyr Gly Arg Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Leu His Gly

35 40 45

His Pro Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Asn Asp Tyr Trp Gly Thr Thr Ser Leu His Leu Val Ala Ile Trp

65 70 75 80

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

85 90 95

Asn Ala Val Asp Asp Ile Gly Gln Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Ala

100 105 110

Trp Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys His Gly Ala Asp

115 120 125

Val Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile

130 135 140

Asp Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 40

<211> 158

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> ankyrin repeat Domain

<400> 40

Gly Ser Asp Leu Gly Lys Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Gly Gln

1 5 10 15

Asp Asp Glu Val Arg Ile Leu Met Ala Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn Ala

20 25 30

Asn Asp Tyr Asp Gly Met Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Met Glu Gly

35 40 45

His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

50 55 60

Ala Asn Asp His Tyr Gly Phe Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Trp Thr Gly

65 70 75 80

Arg Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Ala Asp Val Asn

85 90 95

Ala Ala Asp Val Phe Gly Arg Thr Pro Leu His Leu Ala Ala Thr Ser

100 105 110

Gly His Leu Glu Ile Val Glu Val Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Ala Asp Val

115 120 125

Asn Ala Gln Asp Lys Phe Gly Lys Thr Ala Phe Asp Ile Ser Ile Asp

130 135 140

Asn Gly Asn Glu Asp Leu Ala Glu Ile Leu Gln Lys Ala Ala

145 150 155

<210> 41

<211> 9

<212> PRT

<213> Artificial

<220>

<223> GS linker

<400> 41

Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Cys

1 5

Claims (10)

1. Ankyrin repeat domain having binding specificity for VEGF-A165, wherein the repeat unit of the ankyrin repeat domain consists of amino acid sequence ADSTGWTPLHLAVPWGHLEIVEVLLKYGADVNAKDFQGWTPLHLAAAIGHQEIVEVLLKNGADVNA (amino acids 33-98 of SEQ ID NO:29) or amino acid sequence RDSTGWTPLHLAAPWGHPEIVEVLLKNGADVNAADFQGWTPLHLAAAVGHLEIVEVLLKYGADVNA (amino acids 33-98 of SEQ ID NO: 24).

2. The ankyrin repeat domain of claim 1, wherein the repeat unit of said ankyrin repeat domain consists of the amino acid sequence ADSTGWTPLHLAVPWGHLEIVEVLLKYGADVNAKDFQGWTPLHLAAAIGHQEIVEVLLKNGADVNA (amino acids 33-98 of SEQ ID NO: 29).

3. The ankyrin repeat domain of claim 1, wherein the repeat unit of said ankyrin repeat domain consists of the amino acid sequence RDSTGWTPLHLAAPWGHPEIVEVLLKNGADVNAADFQGWTPLHLAAAVGHLEIVEVLLKYGADVNA (amino acids 33-98 of SEQ ID NO: 24).

4. The ankyrin repeat domain of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain inhibits VEGF-A165 biological activity in a cell.

5. The ankyrin repeat domain of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said ankyrin repeat domain inhibits budding of HUVEC spheres with an IC50 value of less than 10 nM.

6. A nucleic acid encoding the ankyrin repeat domain of any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an ankyrin repeat domain according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.

9. Use of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 7 and 8 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of neovascularization of the eye.

10. A method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ankyrin repeat domain of any one of claims 1 to 5 for use in the treatment of pathological angiogenesis.

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